Audi A8 gets Google Earth navigation

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Google has teamed up with Audi to offer its Google Earth product preinstalled in the newly-unveiled Audi A8. Except it'll be even better than the regular desktop Google Earth - as it'll have built-in navigation.

Users will get 3D satellite pictures, terrain info, support for layers (to overlay Wikipedia articles or transport networks on the map) and even images from Panoramio. There's local business search results accessible in the data too.

Most impressive of all, you'll be able to send directions from your computer on your desk to your car - so it can be working out the route while you walk down to the car park, ready to go the moment you put the key in the ignition.

There's no word yet about any rollout to other cars, but given Google's now-clear ambitions in the navigational space, we wouldn't be at all surprised to see this roll out more widely.